With the insurance merchants who colluded with pirates being sent to the scaffold and turning into unrecognizable corpses, Sabel Kaffi sold his mansion and shops in Braavos and left the city he hadn't left for thirty years by ship.
This struggle over the insurance share of the Braavos-White Harbor trade route, which lasted more than a year, finally came to an end.
Arthur looked through the insurance contracts signed with the names of Braavosi captains, noting the distinctly different clauses, and sighed with some emotion:
"This struggle was started by me, and it is ended by me."
The insurance contracts signed before were essentially gambling contracts, but the nature of the contracts Arthur signed with the captains this time was completely different.
A day ago, he communicated with the judges and officials appointed by the Sealord and the representatives of the captains to jointly draft a consensus proposal.
This consensus proposal could be said to be the last straw that broke the camel's back and the most critical piece of the puzzle.
The consensus was divided into five items.
Item 1: Regulations on premiums and compensation.
The calculation method for premiums was stipulated to be no more than 30% of the cargo value.
If a ship was lost, the insurer must compensate according to the agreed proportion without discount. (Full compensation is not required; suggested range is 70%-90%).
Item 2: Exemption clauses were added to the insurance contract.
Excluding situations such as deliberate destruction by the shipowner, crew mutiny, and war. It also required the shipowner to fulfill seaworthiness obligations (such as equipping sufficient weapons to defend against pirates).
Item 3: Insurance contracts must be notarized and recorded by Braavos customs officials.
Insurance must be signed in the presence of a notary, and details such as ship condition, cargo manifest, and route must be recorded in detail as a basis for future claims.
Item 4: Clarification of the subject matter of insurance and the scope of risk.
Clearly agreed on the object of protection (ship, cargo, or freight) and covered risks (such as "all risks at sea" or listing specific risks like reefing, pirates, storms, etc.).
Item 5: Final resolution of disputes.
If disputes remain, they shall ultimately be arbitrated by the Sealord of Braavos or a judge appointed by the Sealord.
This consensus proposal was reached in the morning; the insurance merchants colluding with pirates were hanged at noon; and Sabel Kaffi left Braavos by ship in the afternoon.
How should I put it? This proposal solved almost all the pain points of the three parties. Captains didn't have to worry about excessive insurance costs, and the Sealord strengthened the management of the insurance industry.
As for Arthur, he naturally harvested the entire insurance share between White Harbor and Braavos. After all, he controlled all the islands along the way. The original insurance merchants were either dead or fled.
New insurance merchants had no competitiveness at all.
Moreover, after this proposal was finalized, the Sealord personally summoned Arthur. While thanking him for his outstanding contribution to Braavos, he changed the previously signed 100,000 Gold Dragon loan contract, lowering the original 15% annual interest to a symbolic 1%.
This meant Arthur could pay 14,000 Gold Dragons less in interest every year. For such a reward in real gold and silver, Arthur thanked the Sealord repeatedly while marveling at his wealth.
In Westeros, a landed knight's annual income was only between 50 and 200 Gold Dragons.
"My Lord, we have inventoried and received all the real estate sold to us by Sabel Kaffi, plus the mansion we are living in."
'Ledger' Pate flipped through the summary accounts, an uncontrollable smile on his face. "A total of 3 mansions, 2 shops, and 1 brothel. Furniture, tapestries, and unsold goods stored in the houses."
Flipping to the end, Pate couldn't hold back anymore and laughed magically: "Hehehe... The value of those goods alone covers the money we paid for his real estate."
The others in the room also couldn't hide their joy; even the air in the room smelled of happiness.
In the following days, Arthur visited several mansions and shops.
The brothel was given to Zaren, who was keen on establishing an intelligence network. He was a regular there and had already slept with a mermaid, so it could be said to be a seamless transition.
The two shops were connected to one mansion. They were spacious and located between the Ragman's Harbor and the Long Canal.
Arthur observed that it was very convenient for loading and unloading cargo from ships, retail, or storage. This was originally the place Zaren used to handle and sell goods.
Arthur handed this mansion to Vickon, letting him establish their warehouse in Braavos here.
"I have contacted many captains, and they are very interested in my idea," Vickon reported back.
"Several captains are willing to pledge their goods here and split the money after the sale."
"Good idea." Arthur nodded in agreement, then suggested, "Actually, when your father signs insurance contracts with them, you can mention that pledging goods to be sold in our warehouse can reduce part of the premium."
"This reduced part can be covered by the profit from the warehouse sales. You and Pate discuss the specific amount details."
Vickon's eyes lit up. "Yes, my Lord!"
"However, the top priority now is to build the warehouses, whether in Braavos or White Harbor; otherwise, everything is empty talk."
The last mansion was the luxury mansion where Sabel Kaffi originally lived. This mansion was very close to the Moon Pool where swordsmen and assassins often held duels.
Arthur decided to turn this place into the Swordsman Guild.
After running around, Arthur had to sigh that the one-eyed fat man was truly his benefactor.
With the assets left by Sabel Kaffi, the 100,000 Gold Dragon plans proposed by everyone earlier could immediately open up the situation and be rolled out.
It made Arthur miss the one-eyed fat man a little.
After arranging all the one-eyed fat man's assets, Arthur went back to being his 'Master Smith', sitting in Kaffi's mansion to help Weiss build the Swordsman Guild.
Currently, Arthur was most worried about Weiss, but fortunately, Victar said his fourth son, Victor, had come of age and could come over to help manage things.
Later, after seeing Victor help manage the affairs of the Swordsman Guild, Arthur always felt something was wrong, a bit weird.
It wasn't that Victor did a bad job; on the contrary, he worked methodically and steadfastly, just like 'Ledger' Pate.
But Arthur always had an indescribably strange feeling.
After sorting through the personnel of the Braavos businesses, Arthur suddenly realized why it was strange.
Now Zaren Borrell was responsible for insurance contracts + intelligence gathering. Victar was the deputy assisting him.
Vickon was responsible for the construction and management of warehouses on both shores + bulk lumber trade.
Vickary was responsible for fleet shipping and trade.
Victarion was responsible for exploring routes and mapping sea charts.
Weiss was responsible for the Swordsman Guild, with Victor as his deputy.
Kojja Mo was responsible for the smithy and would go with him to Starfall later.
'Ledger' Pate managed the finances and would also go to Starfall later.
Unknowingly, in Braavos, Victar's family had become a family of loyal martyrs.
The talent training plan must be started immediately. Besides that...
"Lord Arthur, I have two more sons, Vicwu and Vicliu." Victar said with a puzzled look.
"Is there any place that needs manpower? Although they are not yet adults, my wife has trained them very well."
Fortunately, not seven Calabash Brothers. Arthur breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.
"Manpower is indeed needed. I'm going to Starfall to build a blacksmith district, warehouses, and even a peach orchard, all of which need trustworthy people to watch over." Arthur asked tentatively:
"It's just that they have to be far away from Braavos. I don't know if your two sons are willing?"
Nowadays, as the fame of peach wine produced in the Wolfswood peach orchard grew, the monthly output was already struggling to supply the Northern nobles, and very little peach wine could be sold to Braavos.
This gave Arthur the idea of establishing a larger peach orchard near Starfall.
"Why wouldn't they be willing? It's an honor for our whole family to serve my Lord." Victar said proudly.
"My two sons can speak the Common Tongue, read and write, and have learned swordsmanship from Black Mamba swordsmen. They can be said to be my two most presentable sons."
Before Arthur could nod, Zaren hurriedly opened his mouth and said:
"My Lord, if you are short of people, I also have two people to recommend to you."
"They have been with me for a while. They are from the Sunderland family of the Three Sisters. They are proper squires who believe in the Seven. They can help you take care of horses, clean armor and longswords, dress you, draw bathwater, and do anything else."
Victar glared at Zaren and thumped his chest loudly: "My sons can do all these things too."
After that, the two argued about this for half a day, getting red in the face.
Seeing them arguing endlessly, Arthur finally had to accept them all.